7-Eleven plans to test out healthy alternatives in their convenience store offerings in South California locations.
The convenience stores chain plans to test out what the brand calls "nutritionally balanced" salads, wraps, sandwiches and cold-pressed juices. About 104 stores in Los Angeles will be part of the trial run of healthy menu options. The line of nutritional and healthy meals will be under the brand of fitness guru Tony Horton Kitchen.
According to the company, the healthier options isn't about getting rid of the usual 7-Eleven food options, but providing more varied choices for consumers. The chain will sell the usual snacks, but the nutritious alternatives can accommodate the Millennials and other customers who are looking for filling and nutritious food. Though the Millennials aren't the only market, the strategy targets the young and hip crowd the most.
Raja Doddala, senior director for innovation at 7-Eleven, said, "We can provide a convenient way for healthy and fitness-oriented consumers to fuel their daily lives." If successful, the option can extend to North California and might go national.
Included in the new options are two sandwiches, two salads, two wraps, and four flavors of cold-pressed juices. The price range of sandwiches and wraps range from $4.75 to $6.50, while the cold-pressed juices will be sold at $4.99. The calorie count of the products will average at 360, and most of them are packed with protein and dietary fiber.
7-Eleven sees an increase in interest on healthy food as the profits from fresh produce increased by 30% over the past year. Doddala said that healthy food options are the second most requested products from the feedback gathered in social media, the Internet and toll-free phone calls to the brand. Bananas even outsold Snickers, the most purchased candy bar in 7-Eleven.
The USA Today reports that health and wellness is growing industry in the U.S. worth $50 billion.
